Current Programs

The Women's Center engages the Northwestern community through programming, on contemporary and historical feminist, gender, and social justice issues. The below programs focus on creating sustained dialogue around social justice issues at Northwestern and offer one-on-one support for students, staff, and faculty.

For one-time events, please see our Upcoming Events page.

The best way to stay on top of Women's Center events is to sign up for our newsletter.

If you attended a recent Women's Center event and would like to provide feedback, please do so here.

Ongoing Programs:

Dissident Sisters: Bev Grant and Feminist Activism, 1968-72:

Wed, October 9th
6pm - 7:30pm
The Block Museum of Art -- Auditorium
40 Arts Circle Drive, 1st Floor
Evanston, IL 60208

The Women’s Center is proud to be co-sponsoring the keynote address with Bev Grant and Ruslana Lichtzier to accompany this photographic exhibition currently on view at The Block and recently labeled a “must see” by Art Forum. Join us in celebrating Fall exhibition, Dissident Sisters: Bev Grant and Feminist Activism, 1968-72, and the stories it shares of civil rights and social justice movements in the United States. Artist Bev Grant will be in conversation with co-curator Ruslana Lichtzier, 2023-2024 Block Museum Art History Graduate Fellow, to discuss Grant’s artistic practice documenting and participating in radical political movements in the late 1960s and 70s. Sarah Brown, Director of the Women’s Center at Northwestern University, will provide an introduction to the history of this groundbreaking intersectional feminist activism, and its legacies in the ongoing work of the Women’s Center at Northwestern today. The conversation will be followed by an audience Q&A.
The Block will also be screening some of Bev’s short films for Newsreel on October 10^th. Programs are open to all, on a first-come first-served basis. RSVPs are not required, but are appreciated.

Biweekly Book Club: Survival Is a Promise

ID: In a light blue background, bees are pollinating orange persimmons, blueberries, and raspberries to the left side of the flyer. On the right side, there is large dark blue text that states, "Join the Women's Center Biweekly Book Club!" At the bottom, the description is as follows: This year we will be reading Survival is a Promise by Alexis Pauline Gumbs, with Njoki Kamau facilitating! Our first meeting will be Wednesday 10/30.

RSVP HERE

Queer Parenting:

ID: Title reads Queer Parenting in rainbow colors with abstract shapes in pink, purple and orange in the background and small rainbows on either sides of the text. The text: An online, informal, private monthly gathering to discuss parenting from within queer relationships and identities, supporting queer, trans, and nonbinary children. Open to all NU parents and caregivers.

Queer Parenting Group
2000 Sheridan Rd
Next Meeting: Oct 22nd @ Noon

The Women’s Center invites you to join our informal monthly group to discuss queer parenting (see image or image description for a few reasons you may find yourself in that conversation). We are open to new attendees be they grad students, undergrad students, staff, or faculty.

Please write to Carrie Wachter or Sarah Brown for more details.

Register here: Queer Parenting Group

Black Grad Writing Group:

Coffee Talk "Fika Time" for International Students:

ID: At the center of a light brown background, there is an orange table with two cinnamon rolls on top, as well as a pair of hands, with red sleeves, gripping a cup of coffee. The top text states, "Coffee Talk 'Fika Time' for international students." The bottom text reads, "Chicago Campus: Abbott Hall Rm 1400 3:30-4:30pm" occurring on 9/27, 10/25, 11/22. 12/20 (Final Fridays of the Month).

Recovery Rack Clothing Swap:

Solution Based Feminist Coaching

ID: A glowing full moon is rising against a purple night sky. In the foreground there is a hill with a path winding through and a bonfire blazing in the lower lefthand corner of the image surrounded by logs.

The goal of the program is for an individual to define a desired outcome, and then to construct a pathway in both thinking and action, through the process of collaborative dialogue between the coach and the individual.

Coaching sessions will last up to one hour, for a total of five meetings. During that time, the individual will be supported and guided by the coach to map their way forward. Black, Indigenous and People of Color are encouraged to apply.

Apply or Learn More

Annual Programs:

Gender Inclusive Initiatives Seed Funds:

Northwestern’s Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (OIDI) is seeking proposals from staff, faculty, and students for seed funding for initiatives to promote gender inclusion on Northwestern’s campuses.

Seed fund proposals must demonstrate how the project/initiative will foster inclusion, build community, educate stakeholders, or advance gender equity within the unit, department, or organization. Interdepartmental proposals are welcome.

Open Houses

ID: In text that alternates between black and orange, the top text states, "The Women's Center in Chicago: Open House." The bottom text states, "Join us for food, chair massages by Blue Turtle Bodywork and tarot card readings. At the center of the flyer, there are three oval images of tarot cards, with a dim-lit aesthetic and candles shown throughout the images. This Open House occurs on October 16th, 11am - 3pm at 710 N. Lake Shore Dusable Drive, Abbott Hall, Room 1400

SAVE THE DATE
Chicago Women's Center Open House
October 16th (11am-3pm)
710 N. Lake Shore DuSable Drive
Room 1400, 14th FL

Join us for food, chair massages by Blue Turtle Bodywork and tarot card readings as well as meeting our staff and checking out our space!

ID: In a background gradient of purple hues, the top text is in light green, reading, "The Women's Center Open House." Below that is a tarot card on the left, with a depicted fancy grail that reads, "Ace of Cups." Next to that cup is a description of the activities listed for the open house: "Join us for Tarot readings, zombie face paint, trick or treat, witchy activities, raffle prizes, plus Halloween harm reduction supplies." Below that text is different phases of the moon, depicted in green. On the bottom left, there are gemstones outlined in purple and on the bottom right, there is an eye with a star in its iris, also outlined in purple. This event occurs on October 31st, 12-4pm, at 2000 Sheridan Road.

SAVE THE DATE
Evanston Women's Center Open House
October 31st
12-4pm
2000 Sheridan Rd

Join us for Tarot readings, zombie face painting, tricks and treats, witchy activities, raffle prizes, and lots of safer harm reduction supplies for all your nights out.

Gender Inclusive Language Workshop:

Feminist Campus Tour:

Check out the Social Justice Tours website!
The quickest way to take the GPS Guided, audio Feminist Campus Tour is to stop into the Women's Center in Evanston for a QR card that fits in your wallet.